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Expository and Christ-Centred Preaching
Dr. T.L.Wilkinson (retired professor of New Testament
Theology)
Corporate Printers Pty. Ltd., South Melbourne, Oct.1999.
Review by Rev. Wim Van Brussel
It was an exciting experience for me to receive and read this book of
our former New Testament professor at the Reformed Theological College.
This excitement is perhaps appropriately explained by the Moderator of
the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Victoria, Mr. Brian
Bayston. He wrote in a brief foreword, “A criticism I sometimes hear is
that the ministry is ‘biblical but boring’. Prof. Wilkinson is not
boring and he communicates to us as easily in this book as he does in
direct speech.”
Dr. Wilkinson is not presenting himself as an expert on preaching. The
power of this book, however, lies in this, that its author is filled
with the desire to hear the great things of God passed on by way of a
faithful, biblical pulpit ministry. This desire runs through the entire
volume like a golden thread, which holds the whole argument for
responsible preaching splendidly together.
The book contains six chapters, each of them making a contribution of
their own, underlining the wonderful privilege of being called to
proclaim the unalterable and unlimitedly rich truths of the Bible, even
for our day of much instability and shaky changes. Some of the helpful
points made in the book are the following:
a) The emphasis on the rich biblical teaching about the Holy Spirit.
b) The importance of expository preaching aiding the preacher to allow
the Bible to say what it means to say more readily than topical
preaching might do.
c) The clear distinction of law and grace and their function in both
testaments. Many Christians, including ministers, often seem to be
confused about this particular issue. How are law and grace related to
the life of a New Testament Christian? (Chap.3)
d) Christ-centred preaching is not merely mentioned in the title of the
book but receives extensive attention in a separate chapter (4).
There are stacks of hints, which preachers could ignore only to their
own and to their listeners’ disadvantage. To add to the usefulness of
the volume of 313 pages, is Part Two – sixteen sermon summaries are
offered, endeavouring to point out what can be achieved when a preacher
longs to preach the great truths of God responsibly and helpfully.
This is a delightful book on a subject that interests every single child
of God. Ministers and theology students should peruse it carefully. It
would also be a reliable guide to any church member who does not
automatically know what to look for in a sermon. Why is it that the one
sermon satisfies rather than the other? Take and read!
The book is readily available from the Koorong and the Keswick
bookshops.
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